Calendar of Events

In the 1880’s George F. Barber created an addition that transformed this then modest dwelling into a 20th century home. Celebrate the house's next transformation – into a 21st century residence. One room has been renovated, and others will be under construction, so you’ll get a taste of what’s to come. Items on the hors d’oeuvres buffet, many of which you’ll ‘construct’, will also provide a taste of what’s to come at the post-renovation Summer Supper in a few years.

Knox Heritage: 865-523-8008, www.knoxheritage.org

Novelist Amy Greene will lead a novel workshop on July 23 at the Redeemer Church of Knoxville. She said that the workshop, entitled "Beginning the Novel", will focus on finding inspiration, planning, character development and the importance of a novel's opening pages in engaging a reader's interest. The session will include a Q&A, writing exercises and publishing advice. Participants are invited (but not required) to bring the first three pages of a manuscript for critique.

Knoxville Writer’s Guild: 865-330-3606, www.knoxvillewritersguild.org

Josh Ritter is an "powerful and enlightening folk troubadour" whose music defies easy categorization. With each new album he deftly proves why he is incomparable to any other folk artist of this time (or any other time for that matter). His most recent album, So Runs The World Away, opens to the clatter of an electric guitar and bounds into songs that don't just tell stories, they paint a mental picture filled with love, loss and adventure. These are tunes still built on the belief that a well-spoken vocal and a gentle ensemble performance can cut through to the heart.

Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information: 865-522-0832, www.knoxbijou.com. For tickets: 865-684-1200, 865-656-4444, www.knoxvilletickets.com

Brobee™ and Foofa™, two of the friendly toy monsters from the popular Nick Jr. show Yo Gabba Gabba!™, will be making a special appearance at Knoxville Zoo! Fans will have the chance to meet Brobee™ and Foofa™, pose for a photo, and say the magic words “YO GABBA GABBA!” with these loveable characters who have become a sensation with the pre-school crowd. Little green Brobee is cuddly and cute, and music, singing and dancing give him the confidence to try new things. Foofa is a pink flower bubble from Spring Flower Land. She’s pink and bubbly and loves all things cute and cuddly. Yo Gabba Gabba!™ is a live-action program for children ages one and up that airs on the Nick Jr. cable television channel. Yo Gabba Gabba!™ is a trademark and copyright 2010 of GabbaCaDabra LLC. The chance to meet Brobee™ and Foofa™ is included with general zoo admission.

Knoxville Zoo, 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914. Open every day except Christmas. Information: 865-637-5331, www.knoxville-zoo.org

Join Ijams naturalist Sabrina DeVault for a singles nature walk at Concord Park on Northshore Drive. Wear appropriate shoes, bring a snack and some water. Be prepared to enjoy the camaraderie. Meet at Concord Park. Free to Ijams members, $5 for non-members. Call 865-577-4717, ext. 110 to register. www.ijams.org

Discover the magic of nature. Choose from Herbology Class in the greenhouse or Potions in the classroom. We’ll even have a Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans flavor guessing competition. Be prepared to taste some of your favorite Hogwarts feats treats. Fee: $5 non-members; $3 members. Call 865-577-4717 ext. 110 to register.

Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Grounds and trails open during daylight hours. Visitor Center: Monday: by appointment only for tour groups and school trips; Tuesday-Saturday: 9AM-5PM; Sunday: 1-5PM (March 1 - November 30). Information: www.ijams.org

The Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble will hold its yearly Summer Auditions at Dancers Studio in Knoxville, 4216 Sutherland Avenue. Young Dancers age 8 to 14 can audition with a prepared one minute dance composition without music, demonstrating modern dance or ballet technique. The ensemble is celebrating 30 years of dancing for national and international audiences.

Information: Irena Linn, Artistic Director of the TCDE, 865-584-9636, irenalinn@comcast.net; www.tcdedance.org

Opening reception on July 22, 6:30-8:30 PM. Also showing oils by the students of Aurora Harrison Bull.

Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37918. Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 9AM-5PM; Wednesday & Friday, 10AM-5PM; Saturday, 9AM-1PM. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityartctr.org

ChristyFestâ„¢ is an annual festival held in Townsend, Tennessee to celebrate Christy the novel by Catherine Marshall, as well as the TV series and movies. Each year cast members, producers, writers, directors and crew from both productions come to ChristyFestâ„¢ to share memories, mingle with fans and enjoy the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains where the TV Series was filmed in Townsend, TN. The Festival explores related material such as mountain crafts, herbal medicines, music, history and early mountain culture. Events and presentations feature nationally known experts in a variety of subjects of interest to Christy enthusiasts.
Pre-registration required. Questions: Please email registration@christyfest.org
www.christyfest.org

Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, Townsend, TN 37882.
Hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Saturday Closed on Sunday
For Information: 865-448-0044, www.gsmheritagecenter.org

The Knoxville Museum of Art presents Art by the Kids, For the Kids in the KMA Education Gallery. The exhibition showcases artworks created by the oncology and hematology patients of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Organized by University of Tennessee Dance Marathon, the exhibition is part of a year-long effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer and other blood diseases. UTK’s Dance Marathon specifically benefits the oncology and hematology patients at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. For more information please visit activities.utk.edu/dance-marathon.

Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM; Sunday, 1-5PM. For information: 865-525-6101, www.knoxart.org

Please join us for an afternoon of refreshments and fine art! Meet the artist, Wendy West, and see her show, “Then and Now: A Retrospective,” featuring her work in glass, pottery, and pastels at the Townsend Artisan Gallery from 4 to 6 pm on Saturday, August 13.

Townsend Artisan Gallery, 7277 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, TN 37882. Information: 865-448-8018, www.townsendartisangallery.com

The Playhouse kicks off its 2011-2012 season with the joyous, fast paced musical comedy "Hairspray." Turn back the clock to 1960's Baltimore when big-hearted, big-haired Tracy Turnblad dances her way onto the Corny Collins Show. With her discovery of a brand new sound comes new friends, new obstacles, and bigger hair. Can Tracy get past her fabulously snobby nemisis, integrate the television show, and snatch the boy of her dreams without mussing her hair? Get your tickets to find out!

Oak Ridge Playhouse, 227 Broadway, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Information and tickets: 865-482-9999, www.orplayhouse.com